HLTLIT X206 - Health Literacy - Are You On Target? The Basics of Audience Research and Field Testing Health Materials
This self-paced module introduces health professionals and content creators to the foundational principles of audience research and field testing for health communication. Designed to help participants produce easy-to-read materials, the course covers techniques to learn about a target audience before and after developing health content. Participants will explore strategies for testing material clarity, comprehension, and relevance directly with intended readers, and will be equipped with practical tools to gather and apply user feedback to improve health communication outcomes.
Delivery Options
Online Self-Paced: A course that is available fully online with no scheduled class sessions or fixed due dates. You can start coursework at any time and work through it independently at your own pace, within the timeframe designated. Online modules may include readings, lecture videos, assignments, quizzes, and more.
Time to Completion
This course is projected to take approximately 5 hours to complete.
Course Completion Requirements
Successful completion of this course requires viewing all materials and achieving a passing score on any included assessments. A certificate will be awarded upon completion.
Technology Requirements
- Reliable Internet connection
- Use Google Chrome browser for Windows or MacOS (ensure both browser and OS are up to date)
- Canvas relies on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for accessibility compliance
- Tablets and smartphones (iOS 7+/Android 4.2+) may be used, but desktop/laptop devices offer the best experience
- Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download)
What You’ll Learn
- Describe why audience research is important when developing materials
- Identify what can be learned from audience research and field testing
- Explain the different types of audience testing and their uses
- Apply field-testing techniques to evaluate audience understanding
- Formulate research goals and develop appropriate methods and questions
- Plan, conduct, and analyze an audience research session
What You’ll Earn
- A certificate of completion issued by The Ohio State University
Additional Information
Accessibility support is available to all learners. For assistance, contact the College of Medicine Digital Accessibility Coordinator at DigitalAccessibility@osumc.edu.
Contact Us
For questions about enrollment, payment options, technology support, or course records, please contact our Enrollment Support team. Inquiries are typically answered within 24 business hours.
For questions about course content or learning objectives, please contact the instructional team at ScarletCanvasMedEd@osu.edu.